Industry News

NSW Water Commissioner, David Harriss, has released a report summarising the management of the 2011-12 floods through the Barwon-Darling and Menindee Lakes systems.

Mr Harriss said that after nearly 10 years of drought throughout much of the Murray-Darling Basin, this was the third year in a row that the Office of Water and State Water Corporation had managed flood flows through the river systems in the west of the state.

“This is typical of the extreme variability of the Australian climate, and particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin,” Mr Harriss said.

Mr Harriss said that the floods in 2011-12 were the result of three separate rain events that included the wettest November in 133 years of records at Moree and the largest 8 day rainfall total at Wilcannia in 133 years of records.

“This led to record flooding in the Balonne River at St George and equalled the highest river level at Bourke since 1976.”

“In total, about 5,700,000 megalitres flowed past Wilcannia between mid-December 2011 and late May 2012 - over 11 times the volume of Sydney Harbour.”

Mr Harriss said that the Menindee Lakes, near Broken Hill in far-west NSW at the end of the Barwon Darling System, are surcharged above full supply levels.

“Flows from the Menindee Lakes into the Lower Darling River downstream of Menindee are now being increased to reduce the storage levels in the lakes to accommodate inflows expected after the mid July rainfall in upstream catchments reducing surcharge levels.”

Flows will increase to 4,000 megalitres per day to the Lower Darling River which will pass more water into the River Murray downstream and flows will also be released from Lake Cawndilla into the Great Darling Anabranch.”

The report into the Management of the Barwon-Darling floods of November 2011 – June 2012 is available on the Office of Waters website at www.water.nsw.gov.au.

A new report, entitled An Independent analysis of higher education funding approach, by Ernst & Young shows that funding for university student places will be 10.1 per cent or almost $2,000 higher in 2013 .

Findings of the report included:

• Under the two scenarios examined (Scenario 1 - Pre Bradley Review and Scenario 2 - Post Bradley Review), there would be an increase in funding for teaching, learning and research both in aggregate and on a per student load basis over time. Scenario 2 (Post Bradley Review) indicates that there is generally more funding per student load from 2012 onwards.
• There is more funding on aggregate in Scenario 2 for teaching and learning and this is associated with increased Commonwealth supported student load in current university estimates (approximately 90,000 more Estimated Full-Time Student Load (EFTSL) in 2013 under Scenario 2 than in 2013 under Scenario 1).
• For teaching, learning and research in 2013, the per EFTSL funding is $19,524 for Scenario 1 and $21,488 for Scenario 2, the difference being an increase of 10.1% over Scenario 1.
• For teaching and learning only in 2013, the per EFTSL funding is $18,074 for Scenario 1 and $19,600 for Scenario 2, the difference being an increase of 8.4% over Scenario 1.

Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans,  the report showed universities were receiving substantially more funding per student as a result of the Bradley reforms, and also address sector calls for the Bradley Review recommendation to increase in base funding for teaching and learning.

"It shows that through the Bradley reforms we've given our education sector the support it needs to produce more graduates and keep up with demand for skilled workers," Senator Evans said.

"For every student today, there are more university places and more money for each of those places. It's just one way we are making sure all Australians have the opportunity to participate in the high skill, high pay jobs in the economy."

The 10 per cent funding increase is comprised of improved indexation, additional equity funding for the Higher Education, Participation and Partnerships Program; Sustainable Research Excellence funding; Reward Funding and Structural Adjustment Fund funding.

The report can be accessed at http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Pages/TransformingAustraliasHESystem.aspx 

Seventeen fellowships with a total value of $46,654,655 over 5 years have been awarded by the Australian Research Council under the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme for 2012.

The scheme is designed to attract world-class researchers and research leaders to key positions, and create new rewards and incentives for the application of their talents in Australia.

It includes a Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship awarded to a highly ranked female candidate from the humanities, arts and social science disciplines and a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship awarded to a highly ranked female candidate from the science and technology disciplines. These recipients have been provided with additional funding to undertake an ambassadorial role to promote women in research.

The recipients include:

The Australian National University

• Professor David Lindenmayer
• Professor Eelco Rohling
• Professor Susan O’Connor : Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship recipient
• Professor Tessa Morris-Suzuki

The University of Sydney

• Professor Benjamin Eggleton
• Professor Nalini Joshi:Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship recipient
• Professor Rick Shine

James Cook University

• Professor Alexandra Aikhenvald
• Professor Terence Hughes

The University of Queensland

• Professor John Quiggin
• Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

Monash University

• Professor Douglas Macfarlane
• Professor Michael Fuhrer
• Professor Nicholas Wormald

The University of Melbourne

• Professor Frank Caruso
• Professor Ivan Marusic

The University of Western Australia

• Professor Malcolm McCulloch

 More information about the recipients is here.

German chemical company, BASF, has opened a research and development centre in Australia to lead technological innovation and increase productivity in the global mining and resources sector.

The new facility, located at the Australian Mineral Research Centre (AMRC) in Perth, will drive innovation in mineral processing and metal production technology with a view to enhance sustainable mining practices in Australia and around the world.

A team of six will lead the company’s research into minerals thickening and crystallisation processes; by 2017 BASF hope to employ around 20 researchers at the centre.

Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF, Dr Martin Brudemueller, said the company’s research will help to ensure the sustainability of the global mining industry.

“With the latest advances in mining solutions research, BASF aims to help mining operations to minimize water consumption, maximize recovery, reduce land areas consumed by tailings disposal and minimize the cost and time required to rehabilitate sites,” Dr Brudemueller said.

WA Attorney General Michael Mischin has announced the appointment of Neil Douglas as an acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC).

Mr Mischin said Mr Douglas had more than 30 years’ experience practising public law and would be an invaluable acting commissioner.

“Mr Douglas is an outstanding lawyer who has extensive experience in criminal and public law, acting for and against local, State and Federal Government departments, agencies and employees,” Mr Mischin said.

“A significant part of his practice has involved the conduct of investigations and reports in the public sector, including suspected criminality, harassment, bullying, misconduct, conflicts of interest and employment contracts.

“Mr Douglas has also been involved in conducting a number of high profile inquiries, including the 2000-01 statutory inquiry into the provision of obstetric and gynaecological services at King Edward Memorial Hospital, and the 14-month public inquiry into the City of Cockburn in 1999, which led to the council’s dismissal.

The Attorney General said the acting commissioner could take over and act as commissioner if and when the CCC commissioner vacates the office; becomes incapable; is unable to handle any particular case (for example, due to an actual or potential conflict of interest); or, leaves the State.

The Western Australian Government and Town of Port Hedland  have given the green light for the $152million Spoilbank Marina Precinct development in north-west WA.

Part of the Pilbara Cities initiative to revitalise Port Hedland into a city of 50,000 people, the project will include a marina with up to 250 boat pens, four boat ramps and marine support services.

The surrounding precinct will incorporate a hotel, mixed-use development, caravan park and public recreation space. 

Premier Colin Barnett said the State Government would contribute $112million to the project (including $72m from Royalties for Regions). Town of Port Hedland will contribute $40m

.

The Spoilbank Marina will include a boat lifter and hardstand; land for boat repairs and service; refuelling jetty; restaurants; bars; event spaces; water play area; and an adjacent caravan park.

The former hospital site south of Sutherland Street and overlooking the marina will also form part of the revitalised broader precinct, with Finbar proposing to develop high-quality, short-term accommodation and commercial space on the site.

Finbar’s proposed two-stage development on the former hospital site will incorporate 367 short-stay serviced apartments over two, seven-storey towers on Sutherland Street; a two to four-storey building on the eastern elevation, and two-storey buildings on Morgans Street. 3,900sqm of commercial and retail space to be provided on ground floor of Sutherland Street.

Work will commence this year on detailed design and approvals, with completion of the precinct expected in 2016-17.

A major study highlighting how the Upper Spencer Gulf region in South Australia can boost regional development opportunities from the growing resources and energy sectors has been released.

The study, prepared by the KMPG and GHD,  aimed to determine the needs of future mining and major development projects in the Upper Spencer Gulf and the capacity of local industry to meet them.

Launching the report in Whyalla, Minister for Regional Development Gail Gago said the feasibility study investigated the development of a heavy industry hub in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

“The findings of the report are extremely promising - the Upper Spencer Gulf region already has the foundations of a regional heavy industry hub and is well placed to capitalise on the benefits of the mining boom,” Minister Gago said.

 “The report provides a guide for industry and government to work together to further grow the resources and energy sectors. The report also identifies where major opportunities exist for industry and service development to focus future investment.

Ms Gago said the the study will inform future policy decisions by all levels of Government and will assist industry in making investment decisions in the region and throughout South Australia.

“The need for mining and major development projects in the Upper Spencer Gulf is identified in the report and the State Government has $3 million of grant funding available from the Government’s Enterprise Zone Fund to support future projects.

“The next step will be to hold workshops for industry, government and communities to collaborate and learn how to access these funds in line with the opportunities highlighted in the report.

Information on these workshops will be announced soon.

“Today, there are 20 mining projects approved across the State, with around 30 more in the development pipeline and over 100 more potential prospects. Many of these projects are within the Upper Spencer Gulf and Far North regions. Mineral production is already worth over $5 billion to the State. The scope for future expansion of this industry is exciting.

 “The well established ‘Upper Spencer Gulf’ cities of Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie provide a critical platform for expansion of the state’s mining projects,” she said.

This report has presented a number of recommendations involving regional development coordination and implementation; improving the capability of local and South Australian mining services companies to contract with the mining industry; skills, training and workforce development; common use infrastructure investment; and land availability and zoning.

The report is available here.

The South Australian EPA has issued environmental guidelines for Nyrstar’s Port Pirielead smelter setting out finalised variations to the licence conditions.

The changes to Nyrstar’s current licence will impose new, tougher requirements relating to the operation of the current facility in the short term, as well as requiring a program to assess and develop a satisfactory plan for longer term, more transformational reductions in emissions from the smelter.

EPA Deputy Chief Executive Tony Circelli said that the Authority recognized Nyrstar’s efforts towards a significant reduction in children’s blood lead levels and the reduction in lead emissions achieved through its $50-million investment in programs such as tenBy10 which over a five-year period reduced the children with blood lead levels above 10 micrograms (μm) per decilitre from 60% to 28%.

“Whilst these has been significant achievements it remains a fact that blood lead levels in some children are still above the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommended blood lead levels,” said Mr Circelli.

“The variations to Nyrstar’s licence will impose in the short term new air quality limits for lead in air at key monitoring sites – Oliver St and Pirie West Primary School – these are enforceable limits that must be met. In addition Nyrstar is required to undertake high volume air sampling at all sites.

“In the longer term Nyrstar will be required to achieve a further substantial reduction in emissions, which is not considered technically possible with the current smelter technology, to ensure that NHMRC recommendations for blood lead levels are met for all Port Pirie residents,” said Mr Circelli.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill said that the EPA’s decision gives the Government a clearer path to secure re-investment in the plant.

 “We recently established the Port Pirie Transformation steering committee to work with Nyrstar to ensure the future of the plant,” he said.

“Nyrstar clearly will need to invest in new technology to achieve the objectives set out in the new licensing conditions agreed with the EPA.”

“The steering committee is continuing to investigate options for securing the resources required by Nyrstar to finance that investment in a way that will underpin the continued future of the Port Pirie plant.”

Mr Weatherill said while in Canberra for COAG this week he used his time to discuss with Federal Government Ministers ways of securing Nystar’s re-investment.

“There is no denying the importance of the smelter to Port Pirie and the entire Spencer Gulf region; the town would struggle to survive without it.”

“It is vitally important Nyrstar finds a way to re-invest in what will not only be a cleaner, healthier plant, but also an investment in a long-term, secure future for the workers and people of Port Pirie.”

Queensland’s public servant numbers have fallen by more than 4400 full-time equivalents since the state election.

Premier Campbell Newman said the latest payroll figures compiled by the Public Service Commission showed there were 199,789 FTEs for the fortnight ending 27 July, an increase of 845 since the previous fortnight as casual teachers were re-employed after the school holidays.

However, he said it ws impossible to give a completely accurate picture of the current size of the public service due to the “shambolic state of the payroll and IT systems”.

“The latest figures from the Public Service Commission demonstrate how the numbers can bounce around from fortnight to fortnight, but they also reveal that overall numbers have fallen by 4408 FTEs since the fortnight ending 6 April.”

Mr Newman said that his Government wants to protect as many public sector jobs as possible, but that the the former Labor Government had employed 20,000 more public servants than the state can afford.

“Labor has left the state $65 billion in debt and that debt will grow to $100 billion if nothing is done. Queensland’s fastest growing expense is the interest bill on that debt and thanks to Labor, Queensland has to borrow to pay the wages bill for public servants.”

The SunWater Board has decided not to proceed with the Connors River Dam and Pipelines (CRDP) project in Central Queensland because it is not financially viable.

 The project was identified in the 2006 Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy as the preferred medium to long-term water supply solution to meet future water demands in and around the Bowen Basin region. Water from the proposed dam would supply primarily the Bowen Basin and surrounding areas as well as possibly supplying communities within close proximity to the proposed pipeline route.

SunWater and the Queensland Government will now examine potential water availability from existing infrastructure such as the Fairbairn and Burdekin Dams.

The Connors Dam decision followed a query from the Government earlier this month asking SunWater whether the CRDP project had a viable funding source.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney said he waspleased the SunWater Board had presented the Government with a statement of facts.
 
“While we have openly supported the CRDP concept, its current $1.3billion price tag puts the current project well-beyond the Government’s and industry’s capacity to fund.

“The Government’s focus will now be on looking at other options that will help secure a reliable and affordable water supply for the region.
 
“I will convene a meeting with the appropriate Ministers next week to fast track alternative water supply options.

Mr Seeney said the` decision not to proceed with the CRDP project at this time did not mean that a similar project could not be commercially viable in the future.
 
He said the Government would re-consider the SunWater decision if and when the project became more financially viable.

Additionally land that had been acquired for the dam would be retained by the government to be used at a future date should circumstances allow.

A report released by Safe Work Australia has found that casual workers recorded a work-related injury rate 50 per cent higher than non-casual workers in 2009-10 with females reporting a significantly higher rate of injuries per hour worked than males.

The report Australian work-related injury experience by sex and age, 2009-2010 examines the work-related injury experience of male and female workers across different age groups.

The report provides data that can assist industry identify demographics where work health and safety can be improved.

In 2009-10 close to 640 000 workers reported they had suffered a work-related injury which is close to triple the population of a city the size of Hobart reporting a work-related injury.

While males recorded a 19 per cent fall in the number of injuries incurred at work since 2005-06 the number for females increased by 11 per cent. Although the decrease is reassuring the fact injury rates for females increased indicates that as a nation more effort is needed to improve work health and safety for our workers.

Other key findings of the report include:

• Casual workers (those without leave entitlements) reported 54 injuries per million hours worked compared with a rate of 35 for those with leave entitlements.
• Working under shift arrangements or as a part-time worker was also associated with higher rates of injury. Half of all female workers worked part-time in 2009-10.
• For each hour worked females had a 28 per cent higher risk of injury compared with male workers.
• High rates of injury were experienced in the accommodation and food services industry. This industry has high levels of casual and part-time work.
• The most common cause of injury across all age groups was sprain/strain.
• Workers aged 15-24 recorded rates of injury substantially higher than other age groups.

Safe Work Australia provided funding to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to obtain these data. The report is the second using these data. In November 2011 Safe Work Australia published Work-related Injuries in Australia: Who did and did not receive workers’ compensation in 2009-10.

Australian work-related injury experience by sex and age, 2009-10 is available at
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

A new study at the University of South Australia will investigate flexible working options to assist workers who are reaching retirement age with depleted superannuation funds. 

Supervised by Professor Tony Winefield and Professor Helen Winefield (University of Adelaide), and assisted by Dr Peter Winwood, the study will look at part-time and transitional employment for those reaching retirement, as a strategy to cope with the aftermath of the GFC.

Dr Winwood, who is based at the UniSA Centre for Applied Psychological Research, Work and Stress Research Group, says workers around retirement age are facing dire financial circumstances caused by unstable economic conditions in recent years.

“The past few years have seen a ‘tsunami’ of troubles throughout the world due to what we now call the GFC,” he says.

“It is not just the large banks, corporations and businesses that have been badly affected by this epic financial disaster. The superannuation and pension schemes of countless millions of workers across the globe have been seriously eroded by falling stock and real estate prices.

“The GFC has highlighted the fact that superannuation isn’t necessarily the ‘money in the bank’ asset that many workers have always believed.

“For workers within a few years of, or closer to retirement, this is a very serious issue. Many are now forced to re-evaluate their retirement plans completely. For some, this will mean needing to put off retirement altogether.  However for many, their health and strength issues may limit their ability to continue to work full-time, if at all.

“A solution might be found in continuing to work on a part-time basis until their retirement finances can be stabilised.”

By undertaking a large-scale survey of working adults over 55 and retirees considering a return to the workforce due to financial circumstances, The UniSA research team hopes to gauge the overall experience of workers nearing the end of their careers.

The psychology researchers believe the study will help establish viable alternatives to ensure these workers can make a smooth and financially stable transition into retirement.

“We want to learn about the experience of people who are close to retiring, or have retired, and are now seeking part-time work as they are unable to retire ‘full-time’ due to the economic downturn,” Dr Winwood says.

“The question we want to answer is just how difficult is it for older workers to negotiate with employers successfully to get continuing employment past the retirement age, particularly if that work is part-time?

“A meaningful national strategy to respond to the changing financial circumstances that exist in the economic climate of the 21^st century may include ensuring more flexibility in the traditional ‘all or nothing’ approach to retirement.”

The study is currently seeking working adults who are within a few years of, or closer to, retirement age and those that have retired and are looking to return to the workplace part-time. Participants will be asked to share their experiences about negotiating part-time work.

To get involved in the study, call Dr Winwood on 8302 4111 or mobile 0405 100 065 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A team of British and Australian scientists has discovered how carbon is drawn down from the surface of the Southern Ocean to the deep waters beneath.

The Southern Ocean is an important carbon sink in the world – around 40 per cent of the annual global CO₂ emissions absorbed by the world’s oceans enter through this region.

Reporting this week in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Australia’s national research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), reveal that rather than carbon being absorbed uniformly into the deep ocean in vast areas, it is drawn down and locked away from the atmosphere by plunging currents a thousand kilometres wide.

Winds, currents and massive whirlpools that carry warm and cold water around the ocean – known as eddies – create localised pathways or funnels for carbon to be stored. 

Lead author, Dr Jean-Baptiste Sallée from British Antarctic Survey said, “The Southern Ocean is a large window by which the atmosphere connects to the interior of the ocean below. Until now we didn’t know exactly the physical processes of how carbon ends up being stored deep in the ocean. It’s the combination of winds, currents and eddies that create these carbon-capturing pathways drawing waters down into the deep ocean from the ocean surface.”

“Now that we have an improved understanding of the mechanisms for carbon draw-down we are better placed to understand the effects of changing climate and future carbon absorption by the ocean.”

CSIRO co-author, Dr Richard Matear says the rate-limiting step in the anthropogenic carbon uptake by the ocean is the physical transport from the surface into the ocean interior.

“Our study identifies these pathways for the first time and this matches well with observationally–derived estimates of carbon storage in the ocean interior,” Dr Matear says.

Due to the size and remote location of the Southern Ocean, scientists have only recently been able to explore the workings of the ocean with the help of small robotic probes – known as Argo floats. In 2002, 80 floats were deployed in the Southern Ocean to collect information on the temperature and salinity. This unique set of observations spanning 10 years has enabled scientists to investigate this remote region of the world for the first time.

The floats are just over a metre in length and dive to depths of 2km. Today, there are over 3,000 floats in the oceans worldwide providing detailed information used in oceanic climate models.

The team also analysed temperature, salinity and pressure data collected from ship-based observations since the 1990s. The instrument used for this is called a CTD profiler which is a cluster of sensors taking measurements as it’s lowered deep down into the ocean to depths of more than 7km.

The work was supported through the Wealth from Oceans and Australian Climate Change Science Programs, and the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre program.

The ABS has released an information paper Recording Emissions Reduction Schemes in ABS Statistics (cat. no. 5257.0.55.001  which details the statistical treatment of the measures legislated under the group of Acts that are known collectively as the Clean Energy Acts that came into force on 1 July 2012.

The ABS expects to include estimates of the Clean Energy Acts emissions reduction schemes in economic and environment statistics, commencing with the September reference quarter 2012. The ABS will also include estimates for the measures introduced with the Renewable Energy Act 2000 at the same time.

The statistical and commercial accounting treatments of emissions reduction schemes have been subject to debate internationally. The statistical treatment was decided at the 43^rd meeting of the United Nations Statistical Commission in February 2012, which ratified the historic cost approach for recording transactions in the various schemes. Rather than follow the UN decision, the ABS has decided to apply a market value approach to recording transactions and positions. This is consistent with fundamental statistical principles as outlined in the internationally agreed System of National Accounts. The ABS believes that the market value approach will reflect more accurately:

• the cost of the schemes to business;
• the value of the taxes collected by government; and
• the value of the debt of government through issuing tradeable permits.

The information paper details the reasons for the ABS decision and the details of the statistical treatments to be introduced for the September 2012 reference quarter.

More details can be found at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/5257.0.55.001

The ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell has announced plans for an audit of construction industry safety following a series of recent workplace accidents, including four deaths in the construction industry since December.

Mr Corbell said he wanted a close examination of why the civil and construction sector seemed uninterested in complying with workplace safety regulations.

Although details of the audit are yet to be formally announced, it is likely that it will be conducted by a panel headed by the Work Health and Safety Commissioner, under the Work Health and Safety Act.  Terms of reference for the audit are currently being drawn up by the Justice and Community Safety directorate.

Master Builders Australia has published the Second Edition of its Modern Award Manual.  The publication provides employers with guidance on the primary modern award for the building and construction industry – the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010.  

Mr Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said: “This is a ‘must have’ publication for all employers trying to navigate one of the industry’s most complex modern awards.  With over 60 separate allowances and a cut-and-paste collection of antique provisions, the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010 can be a real headache for employers.  The Second Edition of the Modern Award Manual their workplace relations aspirin. 

“The Modern Award Manual has been substantially expanded since its first edition.  The Modern Award Manual analyses the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010 on a clause-by-clause basis.  Updated annually from 1 July for Fair Work Australia’s minimum wage decisions, it also provides links to key interpretations by Fair Work Australia, practical examples and essential historical and industrial relations perspectives.”  

“The important matter for employers to understand is that the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010, together with the National Employment Standards, set the minimum standards for all employees in the building and construction industry.  Even those employees on enterprise agreements must be on terms which are ‘better-off overall’ when compared to the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010.  For this reason, all employers in the building and construction industry need to have a solid understanding of the Building and Construction General On-Site Award 2010.  The Modern Award Manual provides that understanding.”

The Modern Award Manual may be purchased here

The national Construction Apprenticeship Mentoring Scheme (CAMS) is calling for volunteers to help build a support network for young building trade apprentices.

Volunteers in the scheme will support Australia’s construction trade apprentices to complete their trade training by providing a helping hand with practical and pastoral support.

CEO of Master Builders Australia, Wilhelm Harnisch said the recruitment and training of volunteers represents the critical next step in the rollout of CAMS.

“Mentoring is a valuable service not widely available to Australia’s young building apprentices. The building and construction industry takes on more apprentices than any other sector, but the industry’s retention rate of apprentices is 58 per cent. Close to 16,000 apprentices drop out each year. This is a major loss to the industry.

“Importantly, the scheme will offer specific mentoring support for out of work apprentices, Indigenous Australians and female apprentices, as well as supporting employers,” Mr Harnisch said.

Volunteer mentors in each state will work with apprentices and help them overcome challenges they have during training.

“The program is looking for volunteer mentors to share their knowledge and experiences to support apprentices and motivate them to complete their training. Mentors will include active or retired tradespeople, or others in the building industry with a strong commitment to help nurture tomorrow’s ‘tradies’,” Mr Harnisch said.

CAMS is being implemented by Master Builders around Australia, with funding assistance from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education under the Apprenticeship Mentoring Program. 

Mr Harnisch welcomed the Government’s commitment to training young Australians.

“Investment in training young apprentices is an investment in the future. Today’s apprentices will go on to build family homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other vital pieces economic and social infrastructure that will deliver benefits to the community,” he concluded.

Interested volunteers can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register their interest to become involved in the program

Research published in the British Medical Journal shows that shift workers have a 23% increased risk of heart attack and a 5% increased risk of stroke.

The study, conducted by researchers in Canada and Norway, analysed 34 studies previously published in the BMJ, involving more than two million people. It concluded that shift work is associated with vascular events, which may have implications for public policy and occupational medicine.

The research paper is available here.

Two of New South Wales’ 13 regional Catchment Action Plans have been now been upgraded and approved.

Central West and Namoi Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) were the first to upgrade and refine their Catchment Action Plans to take account of environmental, economic and social changes since they were introduced five years ago.

The other CMAs will now follow suit and their reviews are expected to be completed early next year.

The updated plans will include:

• more focus on areas that need to become more resilient;
• mapping priorities for investment and action to maintain and improve this resilience; and
• stronger collaboration with communities and relevant government agencies.

The Australian Government will not proceed with funding the Dual Gas Project in Victoria after operator HRL did not meet the required conditions set out in the funding deed.

In 2007, the former Howard Government announced a $100 million grant to support the construction of the 400 MW Dual Gas Project plant to demonstrate brown coal integrated drying and gasification combined cycle technology.  A funding agreement was signed between the Commonwealth and HRL in 2008. Four extensions were subsequently granted to HRL.

No funds have been paid to HRL by the Australian Government for the Dual Gas Project under the LETDF funding deed.

Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, said that payment of the proposed grant, under the Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund (LETDF), was subject to a funding agreement requiring a number of conditions.

“The Government made it clear in February this year that it would grant one final extension until 30 June 2012 for HRL to meet the conditions,” Minister Ferguson said.

"It has not done so and, accordingly, the funding agreement between HRL and the Australian Government will be terminated.

"I emphasise that the Australian Government has treated all projects under the Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund equitably by granting projects extensions as required and administering the grants in a consistent manner that gives projects every opportunity to succeed.

“Grants from the Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund will demonstrate the commercial potential of new energy technologies that deliver reductions in carbon emissions.

“It is supporting initiatives like the Silex-Solar Systems project and carbon capture and storage at Chevron’s Gorgon liquefied natural gas plant.”

Of the projects selected by the Howard Government under the LETDF, the Chevron Gorgon project and the Callide oxyfuel project are underway. The Silex-Solar Systems project continues to be administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.